Manchester United’s quest for a spot in the Champions League knockout stages is teetering on the edge following a surprising 4-3 defeat to Copenhagen on Wednesday night.
Erik ten Hag’s team initially took a 2-0 lead in the first half courtesy of a double from Rasmus Hojlund against his former club. However, Marcus Rashford’s expulsion just before half-time added a layer of difficulty to their prospects.
Mohamed Elyounoussi and a Diogo Goncalves penalty leveled the score for Copenhagen in first-half stoppage time. Bruno Fernandes then appeared to secure a victory for United by converting a penalty of his own.
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The late drama unfolded as Lukas Lerager equalized for the Danes, and in a final surge, 17-year-old prodigy Roony Bardghji clinched the dramatic win.
United, previously second in the group standings while leading, concluded the night at the bottom of the table, facing a formidable challenge in the remaining two matchdays to progress.
The unfolding of the game saw a favorable start for Ten Hag’s team, with Hojlund finding the net in just three minutes. It resulted from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s venture forward and a reverse pass into the path of Scott McTominay, whose delivery across the six-yard box was tapped in by United’s number 11.
In the early stages, the visitors maintained firm control, with Harry Maguire prominently involved in distributing the ball from the back. However, the proceedings experienced a significant delay when Jonny Evans was forced off due to an early injury, coinciding with stadium staff attending to a medical emergency in the crowd.
Even after the game resumed, Copenhagen found it challenging to make an impact against United, and the initially anticipated hostile atmosphere inside Parken Stadium lost its fervor.
Hojlund’s second goal of the night mirrored the simplicity of his first, although this shouldn’t diminish his instinct to be in the right place at the right time. Fernandes initiated a counter by winning the ball back and played it to Alejandro Garnacho. Although Garnacho’s low shot was parried by former Liverpool goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, it fell perfectly for Hojlund, the local lad, to capitalize on the rebound.
Hojlund came close to securing a hat-trick in the closing stages of the first half, surging through the middle with pace but narrowly missing the far post with his left-footed finish.
Despite the visitors exerting complete dominance, the momentum shifted almost instantly when Rashford received a red card. Returning to the team after a minor injury, the United forward was penalized, following VAR intervention, for a slightly reckless attempt to shield the ball. This action led him to go over the top of it, catching Elias Jelert dangerously high on the ankle.
Initially, Copenhagen struck the woodwork when Fernandes inadvertently directed a defensive header onto his own crossbar. However, this served as only a warning sign, as Elyounoussi capitalized on Goncalves’ cushioned volley across the box. In the extended first-half stoppage time, the Danish momentum, which had revitalized the crowd, persisted, and Goncalves smashed in from the spot after the ball touched Maguire’s arm.
Given the intense conclusion to the first half, it was perplexing to witness Copenhagen sitting back at the start of the second half, relinquishing control to the ten-men from Manchester. The hosts built up momentum toward the hour mark, but United weathered that storm and then benefitted from VAR, allowing Fernandes to restore their lead from the penalty spot.
Maguire played a crucial role once again, connecting with the ball at a free-kick toward the far post. His header back across the goal, reminiscent of the penalty given against him, struck an arm. Those in red vehemently appealed, leading the referee to consult the pitchside monitor. He pointed to the spot, and Fernandes duly converted.
Lerager was penalized for the handball, but he made amends with the equalizer just into the final ten minutes. The Copenhagen midfielder skillfully positioned himself at the far post to meet Rasmus Falk’s delivery into the box, momentarily lost by Diogo Dalot—but that split second was all it needed.
With only three minutes of normal time remaining, Bardghji propelled Copenhagen ahead for the first time on the night, causing the stadium to erupt. The teenager had posed a threat ever since coming on, displaying composure beyond his years as he guided the ball onto his left foot in the middle of the box. He then drilled the half-volley into the ground, creating a wicked bounce that left Andre Onana with no chance of saving it.
In stoppage time, Maguire spectacularly struck the ball against the crossbar as United pursued an equalizer, although a soft foul in the build-up would have nullified it anyway.